many ways

The first thing that goes nuts when you are stressed is your sleep cycle. You wake up at night, think about all that's troubling you, come up with some ideas about how to proceed the next day, and then in the morning, you cannot for the life of you remember what they were. Ideas born from lack of sleep have no staying power.

I found in my e-mailbox today some advice (handed out to probably millions of seniors) on how to minimize health issues with each year as you shift from 70 to 75 to 80. As always, "eliminating stress" was high on the list of "things you must do." How is it that you eliminate stress? Are you supposed to shed stressors like you would for a dog that is feeling overanxious? Walk the other way? 

True, you could go the route of "I dont care, I'm going to do what feels right and ignore the pressure to do better." But I am reminded of the little poem a childhood friend wrote in my autograph book some 60 years ago -- "good, better, best, never let it rest, until you good is better and your better best." I guess we do always strive to rise above the easy path. I know I was never satisfied with letting things be.

 

Sadey woke up, as usual, being absolutely perfect and charming. Lick, wag, wait. Still not perfect in the leash department, still not quick to do her stuff, but she's trying! 

Mornings with Henry were always the best part of the day. This is true with Sadey as well. She is the sweetest girl then. Well, not to the people she sees on the streets, but once inside, she's all mellow sweetness.

Breakfast. 

Things are getting tight schedule wise. Trying to figure out Sadey's future takes time. Picking up kids takes time. Seems that everything just sucks the hours out of the day -- this, when I am leaving the day after tomorrow, on a trip that was planned... in July! Not sure how all of it will play out, but I'm working on it!

 

 

 

The kids are one foot into spring break already. It's always like that in March. An eagerness to have a week off after two months of work. They're both excited about forthcoming adventures: Sparrow is off to the west coast, Snowdrop is crossing the ocean. And Sandpiper? I find him at home, back from school early! 

He's excited about a trip too, but it doesn't come until late spring for him. And still he is just all smiles. 

 

 

 

The older two come to Sally's House with me. Ours is a slow pace. I could have been the kind of grandma who plans exciting projects and has everything set out for an afternoon of play. That's one path to a successful grandparenting situation. It's not my way. I'm bookish, so I introduce books left and right. There are toys, of course. Too many, Ed would say. But if they choose to play, it requires them to invent that play. I make few (any?) suggestions.

 

Towards evening, I take Sparrow to Taekwondo and Snowdrop and I go on to pick up Sadey. Snowdrop has learned not to shower her with hugs and kisses now. Sadey is stressed after daycare and the best you can do for her is to shower her with calmness.

 (a perfect moment, for both)

 

 

At home in the evening, I watch Sadey's inquisitive eyes and I wonder why I never noticed how unsure she still is. It's really no surprise that she barks at people coming toward her. She's unsure there as well. The less understandable is her lunge and nip at people in the park who weren't at all interested in approaching her. She approached them. It's really that which caused this flood of anxiety and stress on my part. She was a happy, well exercised dog then. She could have taken the day in any number of directions. Why did she choose that one?

I suppose it's like asking me "why did I opt to take on dog care." There isn't an explanation that would satisfy you. I did it because for me, it was the right thing to do. Sadey has her reasons too. We are able to sort through some of them, but not all. My beautiful girl of infinite mystery... Oh, Sadey!

with so much love...